36. Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State1
368. Subj: Deterioration of Democratic Kampuchea Situation. Ref: A. FBIS BK 021231Y,2 B. USUN New York 0016.3
1. (S–Entire text) As indicated by intelligence reports, broadcasts from Phnom Penh and from Vietnam, the situation in Kampuchea is significantly deteriorating. In addition to the apparent takeover of Kratie by Vietnamese forces, Vietnam pressure is obviously mounting in numerous other strategic points, including Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Kampot and Takeo. Latest reports indicate that Vietnamese forces have crossed the Mekong in strength.
2. One measure of the difficulties faced by Kampuchea is the unprecedented Kampuchean Government statement of January 24 [Page 140] which in contrast to previous bombastic expressions of confidence flatly states that “Vietnamese and Soviet expansionism . . . has most seriously threatened the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of democratic Kampuchea”. Another is the Kampuchean appeal to the Security Council.
3. The increasing gravity of the situation in Kampuchea curiously has been met with relative silence by those most immediately concerned, notably China and Thailand. While Peking and Hanoi’s slanging match has reached new heights, the Chinese for one reason or another have not attempted to mount an international campaign on behalf of Democratic Kampuchea nor have they sought any UN action on the issue.
4. The Thais are clearly worried by this serious turn of events in Kampuchea. Air Marshal Sitthi Sawetasila informed the Ambassador that yesterday they discussed with the Indonesian Ambassador the possibility of an ASEAN call for a cease-fire and mediation, but Sitthi doesn’t expect this to get very far. The Thais also asked the Chinese what they were going to do. The Chinese Charge, according to Sitthi, said “they would take steps”. However, stepped up Chinese warnings do not appear to be very effective steps.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790004–1173. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information Immediate to USUN; sent for information to Hong Kong, Paris, Beijing, Stockholm, Singapore, Tokyo, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Vientiane, Bonn, Berlin, Moscow, and Warsaw. The Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea began on December 25, 1978.↩
- Not found.↩
- Telegram 16 from USUN, January 3, reported the Kampuchean request for a UN Security Council meeting to condemn Vietnamese “aggression.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790004–0119)↩
- Khieu Samphan made the statement in a radio broadcast. See Dusko Doder, “Cambodia Asks Aid to Halt Invasion,” New York Times, January 3, 1979, p. A1.↩